MCC-1000MD impresses ophthalmologist at leading Tokyo hospital

Dr. Hiroshi Takahashi is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Nippon Medical School Hospital in Tokyo, where 2,000 eye surgeries are performed each year. The MCC-1000MD, Sony’s first microsurgical camera with HDR, has impressed this leading doctor with clarity, contrast and color accuracy captured during procedures.

How we helped

The Challenge

Hospital required accurate video documentation of eye surgery to share as case studies with other ophthalmologists

Revealing more color and detail in corneal surgery

“Color tones in the video of a cornea transplant surgery were very good using the MCC-1000MD,” confirms Dr. Takahashi. “Ease of image viewing is desirable in this type of surgery, and this camera makes the grade in terms of both resolution and the visibility of fine details. I feel that it captures more than can be seen through an actual microscope eyepiece — even revealing things that can’t be seen with the human eye. For example, during a lensectomy performed on a patient with severe myopia, the clouded posterior area of the optic lens could be seen easily on the monitor.”

Impressive image quality with HDR

Dr. Takahashi is appreciative of the high dynamic range of the MCC-1000MD, which allows the camera to capture extremes of brightness in the same image. Operating in HDR mode, it provides improved contrast, with the ability to see greater levels of detail in both poorly lit and highly exposed areas of the picture. “When I want to see something a little better, I’ll bring the light closer to the target,” he notes. “This often results in the monitor image going completely white. However, when I am working on peeling the pre-retinal membrane, the image (from MCC-100MD) doesn’t blow out the highlights like it used to, even when I bring the light guide close.”

Superior sensitivity

Dr. Takahashi also notes the benefit of the camera’s exceptional low-light sensitivity. Reducing the need for additional sources of illumination in the operating room, this means that less light is needed to perform the surgery, thus potentially reducing heating effects or the risk of damage to sensitive tissues. As Dr. Takahashi explains: “I would normally use a chandelier light source for cases of proliferative retinopathy, as I want to use both my hands, but with the sensitivity of this camera I only need a single light guide.”

Image quality ideal for review and consultations

The high quality of surgical images captured with the MCC-1000MD is particularly valuable to Dr. Takahashi during post-surgery reviews and knowledge-sharing presentations with other doctors.

“Twice a year we hold a study meeting with around a hundred doctors in private practice, and in our ‘Difficult Surgery Series’ we review case studies of interest to ophthalmologists. When my video presentation looked different from what I’ve actually seen during the surgery, I have to explain that it was a little brighter in real life, or that something was easier to see. The natural colors produced by this camera are very helpful in these kinds of presentations.”

“I create my own presentations using video editing software. It may be easy to modify the blown-out highlights for people who are used to doing the video editing, although it is hard for me to do this, and most of the time ends up with a strange color. For that reason, this camera makes things easier for me, as this obstacle is removed at the time of recording.”